#PeachysPicks #WashingtonDC #Rasika #Winter2020 @RasikaDC @ashokbajajdc A Peachy's Pick Since 2015 #AshokBajaj #VikramSunderam Peachy's Picks Washington, D.C.: Rasika West End Starring James Beard Winning Executive Chef Vikram Sunderam of The Knightsbridge Restaurant Group by Ashok Bajaj
Executive Chef Vikram Sunderam and Lobster Malai
Owner Ashok Bajaj and Peachy Deegan
It's not who you know, it's WHOM YOU KNOW and we know Ashok Bajaj and his Knightsbridge Restaurant Group, by far the best restaurant group in Washington, D.C.
Rasika West End earned a spot in Peachy's Picks in 2015:
This is our first return visit, and you can bet your bottom dollar that if it was also in Manhattan we'd be there much more often. It is absolutely the best Indian food in Washington DC along with The Bombay Club bien sur mes amies.
The decor and ambiance is top-notch, as you can expect to see in every single one of Ashok's culinary institutions of excellence. It goes without saying that the service is perfection.
We've reviewed nearly 800 books to date, and someday we aspire to sit in their library which is particularly attractive.
We had a beautiful corner table here:
The wine list is particularly spectacular and we sipped upon a divine cabernet, Peachy's go-to.
Even the wine glasses are stellar (and naturally the silverware too):
The culinary fireworks in our nation's capital started with the signature Palak Chaat, suggested by Rasika. Crispy baby spinach lends itself to crunchy taste sensations beautifully contrasted with yogurt. Tamarind and date also come to this festive party in a hip bowl. We particularly liked the bright tomatoes. Pictures do not lie: it really does look this stunning. We never edit pictures: you either excel like Vikram and Ashok, or you do not.
Your required response to Mango Shrimp on the appetizer list should be a resounding YES PLEASE. It is a day-brightener particularly in the dead of winter: a sunshine horizon of extraordinary taste levels awaits you with the most gorgeously-flavored shrimp, cashew nuts, ginger and coriander. Rasika achieves the right level of spice without setting Peachy's Irish taste buds on fire.
We love that there are nine bread choices.
Peachy is completely pro-carb!
Peachy is completely pro-carb!
We narrowed it down to two: Garlic Naan and Onion and Sage Naan, both terrific companions of fluffy freshness and exquisite seasoning that paired so well with our edible endeavors.
Of everything we tried, we were most impressed with Lobster Malai and we chose the Saffron Pulao (under rice) to go with it specifically. Its presentation in an authentic coconut shell immediately impressed us:
When is the last time you ate dinner out of a coconut?
Delving into the coconut shell, we found superlative chunks of lobster bathing in bay leaf, coconut milk and highlighted by red chili. Its ultimate succulence was achieved in combination with the spectacular Saffron Pulao.
The final firework of the classic Tandoori Chicken Tikka reaffirmed Rasika's commitment to excel. Chilies, garlic and garam masala accentuated the brilliance of this dish, a total classic in Indian cuisine and never better than at Rasika.
A Peachy's Pick, Rasika continues to be Highly Recommended by Whom You Know.
1190 New Hampshire Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20037
